Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How and when should I apply for aid?
Answer: For need-based financial aid it is recommended that you complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 prior to the school year for which you seek financial assistance--you must reapply for financial aid each year. SFA recommends that you file your FAFSA on-line. 

Because NSC awards need-based financial aid on a first-applied, first-awarded basis, SFSS recommends that the March 1 priority file date is met by students. However, since many financial aid resources have limited availability, the sooner you apply after January 1, the better. Also, do not delay submission of your FAFSA because of incomplete federal tax information. Rather, you should provide your best estimate of family financial data and submit your FAFSA as early as possible. Finally, it is important to promptly submit all documentation requested by SFSS. Your financial aid will not be available to pay for instructional, housing or other institutional charges until your file is complete and all forms are processed.

Question: What is NSC’s Federal school code to be entered on my FAFSA?
Answer: NSC's Federal school code is 041143..

Question: Can I apply for aid if I haven't yet completed my taxes?
Answer: Yes, you may complete the FAFSA using estimated income. However, if you report estimated financial information on your FAFSA, you may be selected for verification.  Be certain to update your FAFSA with the final information from your completed tax returns when finished.

Question: What do I do if I don't have my (or my parent's) tax returns?
Answer: For a copy of federal tax returns, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask for an "RTFTP". This is a summary of the tax information filed. For copies of W-2s, employers need to be contacted and copies requested. Be certain you and/or your parents sign all tax return information before submitting it to SFSS for review.

Question: How can I check to see if my FAFSA has been processed?
Answer: You may check on the status of your FAFSA by using one of the following methods: 1) Review your student account and click on "Missing Document" or “Award Offer” to verify that NSC has begun to receive your information, 2) Call the Federal Processor automated phone line at 1-800-433-3243, or 3) "Check the Status of Submitted FAFSA" on the Federal Student Aid website at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Question: I have completed and sent the FAFSA, what happens next?
Answer: You will receive confirmation that your FAFSA data has been processed in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR). The colleges/universities listed on your Student Aid Report (SAR) will determine your eligibility for financial aid and notify you in writing. The notification you receive is commonly known as an Award Offer. The college/university also notifies the student if any other information is required to complete the financial aid process.

Question: What is verification?
Answer: Verification is the process of checking the information reported on your FAFSA for accuracy. If your application is selected, SFSS is required to collect certain financial documents (e.g., federal tax forms) from you and your parents or spouse, if applicable. Information from these documents is then compared to your FAFSA information and changes are made when required. Financial aid applicants are selected for verification by the federal processor. SFSS may also select applicants for verification to correct any potential conflicts in information. Verification forms are available from SFSS or you may download them from the Financial Aid Forms link.

Question: When do I complete the Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)?
Answer: The Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be signed by all Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan borrowers. Once the Federal Loan guarantor/lender confirms to SFSS that a valid MPN is on file, additional MPN's need not be signed for new loan periods, a period of up to 10 years or until you contact your lender to cancel the MPN. First-time loan borrowers may sign a new MPN as early as January 1 prior to the school year from which you seek financial assistance.

Question: What should I do if I have not received an Award Offer from NSC?
Answer: Call SFSS to verify that your FAFSA data was received. You should also check your SAR to make sure you have NSC listed as one of the recipients of your FAFSA data. If NSC is not listed, contact the Federal Processor at 1-800-433-3243 to add SFSS to the schools authorized to receive this information. NSC’s Federal school code is 041143.

Question: What is the definition of Academic/Grade Level?
Answer: For the purposes of financial aid packaging, SFA complies with University policy for determining your Academic Level.

Credit Hours Completed                  Academic Level
0 – 29                                                 Freshman
30 – 59                                               Sophomore
60 – 89                                               Junior
90 or more                                         Senior

 

Question: How is my enrollment status defined?
Federal and state financial aid is awarded based on the following enrollment statuses:

Undergraduate Students
12 or more credit hours = full time
9 – 11 credit hours = three quarter time
6 – 8 credit hours = half time
1 – 5 credit hours = less than half time

 

Question: I plan to transfer to NSC, what do I need to do to receive financial aid?
Answer:  At least 10 weeks before you expect to enroll at NSC, transfer students should complete the following:
If you plan to transfer to NSC from another institution and you have already completed the FAFSA, make sure that you have listed NSC as one of the colleges and universities to receive the results. If NSC was not listed, follow the instructions on your Student Aid Report (SAR) to add NSC. NSC’s federal code number is expected to be available during the month of November.  Periodically review the SFSS website ‘announcement’ section for up to date details.

If you have been awarded a subsidized or unsubsidized Federal Stafford or Federal Loan or Federal PLUS Loan, contact your lender or servicer to cancel the remaining disbursements and obtain a deferment form. Contact the financial aid office at your current institution for loan exit information.

If you have been awarded a Federal Perkins Loan, notify the financial aid office at your current institution of your plans to transfer and obtain a deferment form. A loan exit interview will be required.

Question: I am a NSC student and plan to take classes at another university as a concurrent or guest student, what do I need to do to use my financial aid?
Answer: Complete a Consortium Agreement Form at least one semester prior to enrollment at the visited institution.  This option will be available at NSC beginning spring 2007.

Question: Is financial aid available for summer sessions?
Answer: Yes. To receive financial aid for the summer, you must first file the FAFSA for that school year (summer ends our financial aid year) and also complete a Summer Session Financial Aid Application. This form is available from SFSS.  

Question: What is Federal Work-Study and how do I find a job?
Answer:   Currently NSC does not offer Federal Work-Study opportunities.  NSC expects to be able to offer students this opportunity during the 2007-2008 or 2008-2009 academic year.  NOTE:  Federal Work-study is employment through the Federal Work Study (FWS) Program is based on financial need as determined from data reported on the FAFSA. If you are eligible for the FWS program, the maximum amount you may earn will appear on the Award Offer sent to you by SFSS. To receive FWS funds, you must obtain a FWS job and be enrolled at least half time (undergraduate is 6 credit hours and graduate is 4 credit hours). Your FWS funds will be provided to you via a paycheck for the hours you actually work. Earnings are not applied to your tuition and fee billing account. FWS job opportunities will be able to be viewed online through the SFSS link once NSC is approved for these funds.   Students interview and are hired by prospective employers. Income earned through the FWS program can be excluded from total earnings on the subsequent year's FAFSA.

Question: What other financing options are available besides federal, state, and NSC financial aid programs?
Answer: Families who do not qualify for a full financial aid package or who seek alternate ways to meet expenses may wish to consider the following options:

NSC's Deferred Payment Plan can spread costs over the first half of the semester. Contact the Admission’s Office for additional information.

Federal Parent Student Loans (PLUS) are available for parents of undergraduate dependent students.

Alternative/Private Loans can help bridge the gap between college costs and traditional funding sources. Private loans are made in the student's name, usually with a cosigner.  Contact SFSS for additional private loan options.

There are many part-time employment opportunities on campus for students who do not qualify for the Federal Work-Study Program.

Question: What is the definition of Deferments and Disbursements?
Answer: Deferments are the estimated or anticipated payments of a student's financial aid awards prior to the actual disbursement of those payments. Deferments appear on the student's account and assist in determining the remaining portion of the student's account to be paid by sources other than financial aid.

Disbursements are the actual payments of the specific financial aid awards to a student's account. Disbursement of the aid will occur no earlier than 10 days prior to the beginning of the semester for which it is to be used. A student's financial aid will not disburse until the application is complete and all requirements for each aid type are met.

Question: What is the definition of awards that do not disburse to my student account through Student Financial Services and Scholarships?
Answer: Most types of financial aid automatically disburse to your student account through SFSS.  We want to remind you that the funds received from external agencies and donors must be reported to SFSS and may result in an adjustment to your financial aid package. Funds should be received from external agencies at least 30 days before classes begin to ensure timely disbursement to your student account.

Question: How do I initiate the NSC Employee Grant-in-Aid. NSHE employees and their dependents must complete the appropriate paperwork with their hiring department before waivers are applied to their student account.

Question: What do I do if I or my parents will experience a change in income or benefits for the coming school year?
Answer: Visit SFSS to discuss your options and to obtain the appropriate paperwork.  All requested documents must be submitted before a review of your extenuating circumstance can be reviewed.

Question: What is the definition of Dependency Status?
Answer: To be considered an independent student for financial aid consideration, you must be able to answer "yes" to at least one of the seven questions in Section Two of the FAFSA.  If you cannot answer "yes" to at least one of these questions, you are considered a dependent student and must include parental information on the FAFSA form. However, if you feel you have extenuating circumstances and should be considered an independent student, visit SFSS to discuss your circumstance.  At NSC, the following situations are not usually considered to be valid reasons for independent student status:

Question: Will I receive the same amount of financial aid next year?
Answer: If your family situation remains the same with regard to income, number in the family, number in college, and assets, and as long as SFSS receives your FAFSA by early March, you can expect that your federal and state need-based financial aid should be approximately the same amount. However, your loan limits will change depending on your academic level and your dependency status. In addition, you must reapply for financial aid every year you wish to be considered for aid.

Question: How do I apply for Nevada residency?
Answer: Questions about residency should be directed to the NSC Office of Admissions.

Question: What are the office hours for NSC Student Financial Services and Scholarships?
Answer: The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.